Rotary intaglio printing machine



Aug. 16, 1938.

A; J. HORTON ROTARY INTAGLIO PRINTING MACHINE Filed April 28, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Aug. 16, 1938. I A. J. HO'RTON 2,126,778

ROTARY INTAGLIO PRINTING MACHINE Filed April 28, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOFL Aug. 16, 1938. J HORTON 2,126,778

ROTARY INTAGLIO PRINTING MACHINE Filed April 28, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR w QR as 3 N N Patented Aug. 16, 1938.

UNITED STATES nor-Any mmeuo rnm'rme mcnmn Albert J. Horton, White Plains, N. Y.,' asslgnor to it. Hoe & 00., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York" Application April 28,

15 Claims.

This invention relates to intaglio web printing machines, and more particularly to improvements in the construction of the same, whereby increased eiliciency in the use .and operation thereof will be obtained and various disadvantages and difficulties at present experienced will be obviated.

Considerable difllculty and various disadvantages are being experienced in the use and operation of intaglio web printing machines constructed in accordance with present designs. Various constructions have been suggested and some are in use, wherein the-ink fountain, in which, in this type of printing machine, the printing cylinder usually rotates in direct contact with the ink, is entirely enclosed to prevent drying of the ink therein, necessitating some form of seal in contact with the surface of the cylinder. The sealing material, in such instances, picks up ink which, when dry, hardens and often scratches or otherwise mars the cylinder surface causing undesired printed marks to appear on the printed web.

Inintaglio printing machines, and especially those used in multi-cclor printing, provision has been made for quickly drying the ink on the printed web before it passes to the next color printing cylinder. This may be accomplished by directing a stream of preferably heated air against the printed web and, where considered necessary, by the additional use and application of heat to the web adjacent thepoint at which the air is directed. Such an arrangement has been developed in the form of a mechanism, wherein provision is made to pass the web through a housing into which the air is directed against the web,'and from which it is withdrawn. Much of the ink solvent vapor is collected and may be recovered by such an arrangement, but considerable vapor loss occurs from evaporation of the solvent of the ink in the fountain, which evaporation is increased when the cylinderis being rotated, due to the agitation of the air adlacent thereto.

This invention contemplates as one of its ob- 45 jects, the provision of means to collect for recovery, the evaporated ink'solvent normally lost by dissipation into the atmosphere from ink fountains that are not fully enclosed, such forms of fountains being considered preferable due to the disadvantages occasioned in the use of sealed ones.

Another object is to provide in combination with a web drying and solvent removal mechanism, means for collecting the evaporated ink solvent from spaces about and adjacent to the print.

1936, Serial No. 16,802 (Cl. 101-157) ing cylinder and the fountain, and a common outlet.

Still another object is to provide in combination with an ink fountain of an intaglio web printing machine; means to exhaust the solvent ladened vapors forming about the printing cylincler while it is rotating in the fountain to prevent egress of these vapors from the fountain.

A further object of this invention is to provide in an intaglio printing machine, means to prevent air from being carried by the rotating printing cylinder into the fountain to contact with the ink therein and incrcaseevaporation of the solvent therefrom.

It is also an object of this invention to provide ,an intaglio web printing machine of improved construction, whereby the same will be more convenient, practical, serviceable and efiicient in its use, by the provision of simple, durable and inexpensive improvements thereto.

With the foregoing and other objects in view,

which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical transverse cross sectional vi w of an intaglio web printing machine embodying the features of this invention, the section being taken on line l--lfof Figure 4;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the machine shown in Figure 1 to more clearly show the construction thereof Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 41s a front view of the web drying and ink solvent collecting device looking in the direc-' of arrow 4 in Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a section of a cylinder end coverin taken generally on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure l of the drawings, there is illustrated an intagllo web printing machine as improved in accordance with the features of this invention. A frame H is provided and arranged to support a plurality of printing units, one onlyof which is shown, and includes an intaglio printing cylinder l2 and a co-operating impression cylinder ii. The impression cylinder I! may directing it to be engaged by rollers l4 whichreinforce the same f against movement from the printing cylinder [2 during the printing operation. A plurality of web guiding rollers is are provided to guide'a web IE to the printing unit from another unit or a web supply (not shown) and from the unit, over rollers l8 and I9, which may be heated if desired, and other rollers 2| in an arcuate path to a roller 23 which may be fluid cooled. From the roller 23, the web is directed over a roller 24 to another unit or toward the delivery mechanism of the machine. It will be understood that the cylinder l2 of the printing unit is driven by suitable means, not shown, in timed relation with the other operative parts of the machine.

An air drying device ,is provided, which in cludes a cylindrical hollow drum 25 having a transverse partition 26 therein (see Figure 4), for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Herein the opposite ends of the drum 25 are rotatably supported upon the anti-friction rollers 21, mounted on the machine frame A stationary intake conduit 28 is connected to one end of the drum 25 and is in connection with a fan casing 29 through which it is connected with an air intake conduit 3|. Steam pipes 32 may be provided and disposed in the conduit 3| to heat the air passing therethrough from a source of supply, not shown. The other end of the drum 25 is connected to an exhaust conduit 33 which is con nected to another fan casing 34 and through it to an exhaust conduit 35. The conduit 35, in this instance, may be connected to an inksolvent recovery apparatus, not shown, the structure and operation of which is well known and forms no part of this invention. Suitably constructed blower type fans 36 and 31 are disposed in casings 29 and 34 respectively, and are rotated by a motor 38, mounted upon the frame I A housing 4| extends downwardly from the drum 25 and is provided with a front wall 42 and a rear wall 43 (best shown in Figure 1). Between the front and rear walls 42 and 43, spaced apart partitions 44 and 45 are provided which form, with the walls 42 and 43 respectively, separate ducts 46, 41 and 48. The duct 46 formed by the front wall 42 and the partition 44 is in communication withthe interior portion 49 of the drum 25 through an elongated opening formed in the wall of the drum at the side of the partition 26 therein, which is in connection with the exhaust conduit 33. The duct 48 formed by the rear wall 43 and the partition 45 is in communication with the interior .portion 49, through an elongated opening 52, also formed in the wall of the drum 25. The duct 41, which is disposed substantially intermediate the ducts 46 and 48 and formed by the partitions 44 and- 45, is in communication with the interior portion 53 of the drum 25 through an elongated opening 54 formed in the wall of the drum at the side of the partition 26 therein and which is in connection with the intake conduit 28.

A marginal flange 55 extends forwardly from the peripheral edge of the front wall 42 of the housing 4|, and with the front wall 42 is shaped to conform to that portion of the web path deby rotation of the drum 25 upon the rollers 21.

The air receptacle 56, so formed, is in communication with the duct 46 through an elongated passage 51 which extends substantially across the entire width of the front wall 42 of thehousing 4|. The air receptacle 56 is in communication with the ducts 41 and 48 through similarly formed and elongated passages 58 and 59 respectively.

When it is desired to subject the running web |6 to the drying influence of air currents, the fans 36 and 31 are rotated to cause a flow of air from the conduit 3|, through the fan casing 29 and conduit 28, into the interior portion 53 of the drum 25 and from the drum through the opening 54, duct 41, and the passage 58 onto the web l6. The air upon striking against the web l6 spreads, partly due to the convex curvature thereof, and flows over the printed surface of the web, drying the ink by evaporation of the solvent thereof. The solvent laden air or vapor is exhausted from the receptacle 56 through passages 51 and 59 into the ducts 46 and 48 respectively, from which it flows through openings 5| and 52 into the interior portion 49 of the drum 25 and from there through the conduit 33, and the fan casing 34 into the exhaust conduit 35, by which it is directed to the solvent recovery apparatus, the fan 31 drawing the air or vapor from the receptacle 56 and advancing it into the conduit 35. The arrangement is preferably one, whereby the fan 31 moves a somewhat greater volume of air than furnished by the fan 36 whereby a comparatively rapid flow of air is caused and a slightly rarifled or partially exhausted condition exists in ducts 46 and 48.

The printing cylinder |2 which is preferably journaled in the frame rotates within an ink fountain 6| and collects ink upon its surface by being partly submerged in a supply of ink 62, which is maintained at a constant level in the fountain 6| under the control of an overflow pipe 63, the ink being supplied from a suitable source through an intake pipe 64. A doctor blade 65 is provided to engage the cylinder 2 and remove surplus ink from its surface before it engages the web |6 to print impressions thereon. Herein the doctor blade 65, carried in a blade holder 65, is swingably mounted upon ,a carriage 66 by pivoting a blade holder arm 61 thereto and is adapted to reciprocate lengthwise along the cylinder |2 by the sliding of the carriage 66 on ways 68.

A member extending lengthwise of the ink fountain 6| from end to end thereof, is hinged to the fountain by pins and carries a flexible shield 12 engaging the blade holder 65'. At each end of the cylinder |2, arcuate flanges 14, which extend a short distance over and are spaced from the cylinder surface, are provided, (as best shown in Figure 5) and are formed integral with end plates secured to cylinder shaft packing caps 15' provided at each end of the fountain 6| to prevent leakage of ink. The end plates 15 are spaced from the cylinder ends, the space therebetween at each end of the cylinder being in communication with openings 13 under the doctor blade at the ends of the fountain.

As shown in Figure 2, a shield 16, secured to a cover plate 11, pivoted to the fountain 6| at 18 is provided, and with plate 11, extends along the cylinder |2 from end to end thereof. The edges of both the shield 16 and the plate 11 are spaced from the surface of the cylinder I2 and these parts cooperate to provide a chamber 19 which is in communication with the openings 13 through the spaces at each end of the cylinder |2 between the plates 15 and the adjacent cylinder end. A plurality of apertures 80 are provided in the cover plate 11 and are in communication with the chamber 19. The apertures 80 are spaced apart longitudinally of, the cylinder 12 and preferably are formed gradually smaller in diameter as they approach the end of the series.

As shown in Figure 3, a casing M is disposed upon and secured to the plate 11, extending completely'the length thereof, and with'it, forms a to one end wall of the fountain BI, and provision made by a sealing washer 81 to seal the joint between the nipple '85 and the cover plate portion 88, when the cover plate is in the position as shown in Figure 2. Another nipple 88, '(see Figure 1) is mounted in a bracket 89 secured to the machine frame ll and is provided with a. sealing washer 8|, whereby thefjoint between it and a sidewise extending portion 82, (see Figure 4) formed. at one side of the housing. 4|, will be sealed when this housing is swung into the full line or operative position shown in Figure 1..

The extending portion 92 is hollow and conimunicates with the duct 48 by means of an aperture 93. An ap rture 84 formed in the exterior wall of the portion 82 communicates with the nipple 88. A pipe 85 having a shut-off cock 8t associated therewith, connects the nipples 85- and-ilt. I

Due'to the above arrangement, the openings 13; the chamber I9; and the spaces between each end of the cylinder l2 and the adjacent end plates l5 and flanges H, are in communication through the apertures 80, chamber 82, nipple 85, pipe 95, nipple 8t, and the hollow housing portion 82, with the duct 48, whereby air or solvent laden vapor will be drawn from the aforesaid chamber and spaces when the housing ii is in operative position and the fans 86 and 8? .are operating.

The shut-off cook 88 may be actuated to adjust the exhaustingeffect on the chamber 79 and the end spaces. Exhaust of the air sumcient to cause a slight amount'of fresh air to be drawn into these chambers through the spaces about the edges of the cover plate ill and flanges it at St and 98? respectively, but not to draw vapor from the fountain Si, is preferable, and this can be controlled by the cook 93. A partial exhaustion of the vapor or air in the chamber "it prevent fresh air from being carried into the ink fountain by the rotating cylinder it, wherein it would absorb ink solvent and cause excessive drying of the ink. I

By the provision'of the above described means to maintain the several spaces and chambers in partially exhausted condition, whereby the solvent laden vapors are not permitted to escape into the atmosphere, permits the use of a printing'unit, wherein no sealing of the inkiountain is required with its attendant disadvantages. The immediate exhaust of the air drawn in through the space 81, by the rotating cylinder lid also prevents the building up of pressure within the inkfountain which might result in the. escape of solvent laden vapor through'the desired clearance spaces about the cylinder. The collection of solvent laden vapor which normally is dissipated into the room atmosphere, and lost,

' and directing it to a-solvent recovery apparatus decreases the loss of .a comparatively expensive product, and therefore decreases the cost of the operation of a printing machine of this type,

and as the vapors of many of the solvents used are inflammable,'the fire hazard is usually minimized. The prevention of evaporation of solvent fountain and the exhausting apparatus 'may be- -made when the fountain construction is such that the escape of the vapors cannot be prevented by the single connection as herein shown. Hence, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other. specific forms without departing from the spirit 'or'essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be'considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and it will be further understood that each and every novel feature and combination present'i'n or possessed by the device herein disclosed forms a part of the invention included in this application.

What I claim is:

ll. In an intaglio printing machine, in combination, an ink fountain having in its structure upper and lower communicating.compartments, a printing cylinder mounted to rotate in said ink fountain and take ink upon its surface from said lower compartment, said upper compartment being formed by a cover plate for the ink fountain and a wall below the cover plate, said plate and said wall ending adjacent said cylinder, said cover plate being mounted for movement to uncoven said fountain and carrying said wall, and means to draw air from said upper compartment to prevent it entering said lower compartment;

2.1n an intaglio printing machine, vin combination, an ink fountain having in its structure upper and lower communicating compartments, a printing cylinder mounted to rotate in said ink fountain and take ink upon its surface from said lower compartment, said upper compartment being formedby a cover plate for the ink fountain and a wall below the cover plate, said plate and said wall ending adjacent said cylinder, said wall being secured to said cover plate andsaid cover plate being swingably mounted for movement to uncover said fountain, andv means to. draw air into said upper compartment from the-atmos-' phere outside of said fountain and to exhaust ing said lower compartment. I

, 3. In an intaglio printing machine, in combination, an ink fountain. having in its struc-' tureupper and lower communicating compart ments, a printing cylinder mounted to rotate in said ink fountain andtake ink upon its surface from said lower compartment,l a wall spaced from each end of said cylinder to form a chamber therebetween which is in communication with the upper compartment, walls for said upper compartment ending adjacent said cylinder, one of'sai'd walls forming a cover plate for said iounwtain at one side of said cylinder and the other wall being in said fountain below the first wall, and means to prevent a flow of air from outside of said fountain between the walls of said upp compartment and said cylinder and the end walls and said cylinder from reaching said lower compartment. t

a. In an intaglio printing machine, in com bination, a printing unit including a printing cylinder, an end plate spaced from each end of said cylinder, a hinged cover plate having a wall secured to and extending below the plate, said plate and wall extending toward, ending adjacent to, and extending lengthwise of, said cylinder to form a chamber, said chamber being in communication with each of the spaces between each cylinder end and said end plate adjacent thereto, an ink holding compartment below said chamber in which said cylinder rotates in contact with the ink therein, and air exhausting means in communication with said chamber to cause the air pressure therein to.be slightly below atmospheric pressure, and thereby cause a flow of air into said chamber and the aforesaid spaces at the cylinder ends from the outside atmosphere.

5. In a printing machine, in combination, an ink holding fountain, a cylinder mounted to rotate in said fountain in contact with ink therein, a cover plate extending froma side of said fountain to adjacent the cylinder, a wall disposed below said plate and spaced therefrom, whereby said fountain is divided into communicating upper and lower compartments, said cover plate and said wall forming the upper compartment being mounted for swinging movement to uncover said lower compartment, the upper one of said compartments being in communication with the atmosphere outside of said fountain, and an air exhausting mechanism in connection with said upper compartment when it is in position to cover the lower compartment.

6. In an intaglio web printing machine, in

combination, a printing cylinder mounted for rotation in the fountain in contact with ink therein, an impression cylinder cooperating with the printing cylinder, an ink fountain partially enclosing the printing cylinder and including a ,cover plate, means to guide a web to and from the said cylinders, ink drying means including an air exhausting duct adjacent the web after it leaves the cylinders, a first chamber below said cover plate and within the fountain and being ,open' adjacent the printing cylinder, a chamber at each end of the printing cylinder, each end chamber being in communication with the first chamber and a connection between said first chamber and said duct to draw air from said chambers into said duct.

7. In a rotaryintaglio printing machine, a

' covered ink fountain including a. top cover plate,

a printing cylinder supported to rotate within the fountain below said cover plate, said cover plate .web is led, mea.ns for propelling air into the enclosure, exhausting means for withdrawing air from the enclosure, a chamber disposed below the cover plate and within thefountain, and a. duct operatively connected with said chamber andv with the exhausting means.

9. In a rotary intaglio web printing machine, a covered ink fountain including a hinged cover plate, a printing cylinder supported to rotate -within the the fountain, an enclosure through which the printed web is led, an inlet duct and an exhaust duct each communicating with the enclosure, means for passingv airthrough the ducts, a chamber carried by the cover plate and open adjacent the cylinder, and a connection from said chamber to the said exhaust duct.

10. In a, rotary intaglio machine for printing on paper, an ink fountain, a printing cylinder pressure within the fountain may be maintained slightly below atmospheric pressure.

.11. In a printing machine, a, cylinder, an ink holding fountain extending about said cylinder and partially enclosing the same, a chamber extending lengthwise of and open adjacent to said cylinder and being hinged to the upper edge of said fountain, and air exhausting means connected to the chamber.

12. In a printing machine, a cylinder, an ink holding fountain'extending about said cylinder and partially enclosing the same, a chamber mounted to be swung into and out of said fountain, said chamber having an open side adapted to be disposed adjacent the cylinder when the chamber is within the fountain, and means to exhaust air from the chamber.

13. In a printing machine, a cylinder, an ink holding fountain extending about said cylinder and partially enclosing the same, a first chamber extending lengthwise of and open adjacent to said cylinder and being hinged for swinging movement toward and away from said cylinder, a

second chamber at each end of said cylinder in communication with said first chamber, and means connected to said first chamber to exhaust air from said second chambers.

14. In a printing machine, a cylinder, anink holding fountain extending about said cylinder and partially enclosing the same, a first chamber extending lengthwise of and open adjacent to said cylinder and being hinged for swinging movement toward and away from said cylinder, a second chamber at each end of said cylinder in communication with said first chamber, air

exhausting means, and means to connect said!" tain, air exhausting means, and means to connect said chamber to said air exhausting means only when said chamber is in position adjacent said cylinder.

' v AIBERT J. HORTON.

.05. and being hinged to the upper of said ioun- 

